§ MR. P. STANHOPE (Wednesbury)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he will cause a Return to be placed upon the Table of the House, showing what sum has been estimated and included by the Treasury in the Civil Service Estimates of 1887–8, for the payment of fees upon briefs for contentious business to Law Officers of the Crown in England, Scotland, and Ireland, over and above the official salaries provided for in these Estimates?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)(who replied) said: It is difficult to state precisely the sum which has been included in the Civil Service Estimates for fees on contentious business to Law Officers of the Crown in England, Scotland, and Ireland over and above official salaries. The sums are included under the items of Law Charges in various Estimates, and are based upon the average of preceding years modified by the most recent experience. Perhaps it will best answer the hon. Member's purpose if I tell him the average amounts paid to each officer in the three years, 1883–4 to 1885–6, as shown by the Appropriation Account. The figures are as follows:—The Attorney General, £3,010; the Solicitor General, £2,018; the Lord Advocate, £349; the Solicitor General for Scotland, £180; the Attorney General for Ireland, £4,717; the Solicitor General for Ireland, £2,566. I may point out 1736 that the new scale of salary for the Irish Law Officers, covering non-contentious business, came into operation with the current financial year, and under the new arrangement the fees received by them will be largely reduced. The estimate for the ensuing year makes provision for £2,000 only.